Origin of Low-K Intermediate Lavas at Nekoma Volcano, NE Honshu Arc, Japan: Geochemical Constraints for Lower-Crustal Melts

Extremely low-K basaltic andesite to andesite lavas at Nekomavolcano, situated in the frontal volcanic zone of the NE Honshuarc, were produced from melts that originated in the lower crust.Multiple incompatible trace element model calculations suggestthat extremely low-K basalt found in the same arc is a naturalanalog for the source composition. However, fractional crystallization,magma mixing, and crustal contamination models of primary low-Kbasalt cannot reproduce the Nekoma chemical composition. Derivationof melts from an extremely low-K amphibolitic lower-crustalrock with the residual mineral phases hornblende, olivine, pyroxenes,plagioclase, and magnetite is plausible. Major element compositionsof Nekoma lavas are very similar to those of experimental meltsof amphibolite dehydration melting, which further support theproposal. Light rare earth elements are slightly enriched, buttotal rare earth element abundances are relatively low, suggestinga high degree of partial melting of the source. Ba/Th ratiosare low for frontal arc lavas, reflecting modification of theratio during partial melting. Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta ratios are significantlygreater than is usual for arc lavas, suggesting an anomaloussource composition. Markedly low K, Rb, Cs contents in the extremelylow-K lavas are attributed to an extremely low-K source. Underplatingof an extremely low-K basalt originating from a hydrous depletedmantle wedge could form such an amphibolite. In contrast, Ndand Sr isotope ratios fall close to Bulk Earth values, indicatingan isotopically enriched source. Hornblende-bearing rocks maypredominate in the lower crust of the NE Honshu arc, based onthe observation of crustal xenoliths. The presence of largelow-V_p regions at lower-crustal depths beneath the frontal arcis suggested by geophysical observations. These observationsfurther support lower-crustal melting beneath Nekoma as theorigin of the intermediate low-K lavas. KEY WORDS: amphibolite source; crustal melting; low-K andesite; Sr–Nd isotopes; trace element